History

There is currently no safe family-friendly bike and pedestrian path connecting Hawthorn to Box Hill.

1996: A detailed proposal for the Eastern Rail Trail was published in 1996 by Boroondara & Whitehorse Councils, the Department of Sport and Recreation. It was also included in the Principal Bicycle Network (PBN).

2005: Detailed route proposal updated and assessed by City of Boroondara.

2006. Revised proposal for the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail published.

2007: Eastern Rail Trail included in 2007 Whitehorse Bicycle Strategy.

2010: City of Boroondara included the route in the Boroondara Council Bicycle Strategy (updated in 2022).

2011: Robert Clark MP for Box Hill supported the Surrey Hills section of the route.

2012: Josh Frydenberg MP (Kooyong) supported the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail.

2012: Critical Route Corridor 9 study identified lack of safe cycling routes.

2018: Route included on VicRoads Principle Bicycle Network and Boroondara and Whitehorse maps.

2019: RACV specifies Hawthorn to Box Hill trail as priority strategic cycling corridor route.

2019: Petition to Victorian State Parliament for the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail – 1844 signatures. Paul Hamer, MP for Box Hill, announced $370,000 allocated for planning.

2019: Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail is specified by the Victorian Government as Strategic Cycling Corridor.

2020: Infrastructure Australia specifies Hawthorn to Box Hill trail as near term priority initiative.

2020: Over 1300 people sign online petition to build the Hawthorn to Box Hill trail.

2021: Department of Transport feasibility study for the Hawthorn to Box Hill Trail completed. Route is feasible mostly following the railway line.

2022: Department of Transport design work on Box Hill to Mont Albert section - not published.

2022-23: Boroondara Council progressing design work on sections of the trail in Hawthorn and Camberwell.

2023: Surrey Hills Level Crossing Removal Project is building a sub-standard section of the trail between Mont Albert and Union Road. No state funds available for further work.